Types of Floods: Learn the Dangers and Damages
Natural disasters like floods have plagued the world since the beginning of time. The power of uncontrolled, raging flood waters has the ability to completely destroy entire towns, villages, and country sides. Throughout history, flooding has been documented in almost every culture as being responsible for the loss of multitudes of lives, homes, and livelihoods.
Floods happen for a variety of reasons, and can occur almost anywhere. It's important to fully understand the different types of floods and what causes them in order to be fully prepared to protect yourself, your family, and your possessions.
Flash Floods
The most common type of flood is referred to as a flash flood. Often striking without warning, they happen during and after heavy rainfalls when the ground has reached a point of maximum absorption, and the water has nowhere to go. Within minutes, raging floodwaters can occur, racing towards populated areas where it will wreak havoc on anything it comes into contact with. And, since there's nowhere for the water to drain, it can settle and rise, causing even further damage to homes and businesses.
If you live in an area that is prone to flash flooding, having flood sandbags on stand-by could mean the difference between saving your home and losing it to the ravages of Mother Nature.
Urban Floods
This type of flood is the result of our ever-expanding population. As we build more homes, businesses, roads, and other paved surfaces, there is less ground to absorb the rain when it falls. Urban flooding happens much like flash floods. During heavy rainfalls, once the water has nowhere to drain and the ground is saturated, the flooding will begin.
The problem with urban flooding is that it will strike in heavily populated areas, causing extensive damage to homes and businesses. Having filled sandbags ready is the best way to protect your possessions in the event of an urban flood.
Coastal Floods
Obviously, coastal flooding happens in areas with some type of shoreline. Usually caused by tropical storms or hurricanes, the force of the winds will cause the waves to push further inland, sometimes causing panic to local residents as they overtake homes and businesses. Luckily, those living in coastal areas will have some warning of the potential of any flooding.
Anyone living in a home in a coastal area should be aware of the disastrous consequences of not being prepared for a coastal flood. And, in recent years, it seems that both the frequency and the intensity of coastal flooding has been on the rise.
The best way to protect your home or business from coastal flooding is to have flood sandbags at your disposal at all times. Waiting until the warnings are issued can sometimes make it more difficult to find both the bags and the sand. You'll have a much better chance of protecting your property if you are already prepared when the waves strike.
Why Flood Sandbags are So Important
These are only three types of floods that can happen. The one thing that they all have in common is the devastation that they cause. And, once that water starts raging, stopping it can sometimes be impossible. The best way to protect yourself is to have filled sandbags ready to use and at your disposal so that you'll be able to surround your possessions quickly, protecting them from the water.
At NYP, we have emergency sandbags available either empty or filled to help you prepare for a flood. Our filled sandbags hold 45 pounds of class "A" sand and can be either sealed with a steel clip or a steel wire tie.
View more information about our filled sandbags or contact us today!